Trackball for data entry and control with optimized ball height

Abstract

A trackball system is provided wherein a roller ball is received and supported within a ball retaining assembly. A vertical height of the ball is adjusted relative to the housing by adjusting a vertical height of the ball assembly relative to the housing. By changing vertical height of the ball relative to a top surface of the housing having an aperture through which the ball protrudes, a selectable portion of the ball will protrude through the aperture. Thus, an operator may make height adjustments of the ball relative to the top housing surface to suit his individual preference.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. A trackball system, comprising: a housing having a top surface with an aperture therein;   a ball assembly means for retaining a trackball roller ball with associated roll sensing means; and   adjusting means including a single user adjustable control member for enabling a user to easily set with said single control member a vertical height of the ball assembly means relative to the housing such that a desired portion of the ball protrudes through the top surface aperture based on the vertical height setting.   
     
     
       2. A trackball system comprising: a housing having a top surface with an aperture therein;   a ball assembly means for retaining a trackball roller ball with associated roll sensing means;   adjusting means for setting a vertical height of the ball assembly means relative to the housing such that a desired portion of the ball protrudes through the top surface aperture based on the vertical height setting; and   the adjusting means comprising the ball assembly means being circular and having a thread on an outer peripheral wall thereof, and turning means for engaging with the thread on the ball assembly means outer wall such that as the turning means is rotated, the vertical height of the ball assembly means is adjusted relative to the housing.   
     
     
       3. A system according to claim 2 wherein guide means is provided attached to the housing for preventing the ball assembly means from turning when the turning means is turned. 
     
     
       4. A system according to claim 2 wherein the housing has means for retaining the turning means in a given vertical position relative to a floor of the housing. 
     
     
       5. A system according to claim 2 wherein the turning means comprises a circular disc having an inner aperture with threads which engage with threads on the ball assembly means and whose outer portion is received in a retaining means of the housing. 
     
     
       6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the retaining means of the housing comprises a slot through which a portion of the disc protrudes. 
     
     
       7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the ball assembly means has at least one guide channel, and wherein a guide pin is provided projecting upwardly from a floor of the housing and is freely received in the guide channel without attachment to the guide channel. 
     
     
       8. A system according to claim 1 wherein spring means is provided for applying a spring force to the ball assembly means relative to the housing. 
     
     
       9. A system according to claim 1 wherein a screw means accessible and adjustable externally of the housing engages with both the ball assembly means and the housing such that as the screw is turned, a vertical height of the ball assembly means is changeable relative to the housing. 
     
     
       10. A system according to claim 9 wherein a spring means is introduced between a floor of the housing and a bottom of the ball assembly means for creating a spring force which pushes the ball assembly means away from a floor of the housing as the screw means is rotated. 
     
     
       11. A system according to claim 1 wherein a floor of the housing has first and second guide pins thereon, a spring encircles at least one of the two guide pins, the ball assembly means has respective guide channels for slidably receiving ends of the guide pins, and a screw means having one end engaging with the ball assembly means and the other end threadably engaging with the floor of the housing such that as the screw turns, the ball assembly means moves vertically, the vertical movement being assisted by the spring which is between a bottom of the ball assembly means and the housing floor. 
     
     
       12. A system according to claim 1 wherein the adjusting means comprises a guide pin which projects upwardly from a floor of the housing, and said single user adjustable control member comprises an adjustment member provided on the guide pin on which the ball assembly means rests. 
     
     
       13. A system according to claim 12 wherein a spring encircles an upper end of the guide pin, a top end of the spring abutting against a stop member and a bottom end of the spring abutting against an inner portion of the ball assembly means. 
     
     
       14. A system according to claim 1 wherein a lever means is provided for raising and lowering the ball assembly means relative to the housing. 
     
     
       15. A system according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a base portion and a removable cover mateable with the base portion, said cover having said aperture through which the ball projects, and wherein a diameter of the aperture is selected to accommodate the ball for a given height adjustment of the ball relative to the housing. 
     
     
       16. A system according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of removable covers are provided for the housing, each of which has a different aperture diameter corresponding to different ball adjustment heights. 
     
     
       17. A system according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of covers are provided for the housing, each having a different contour at a top portion thereof. 
     
     
       18. A system according to claim 1 wherein removable covers are provided for the housing, each being mateable with a base portion of the housing. 
     
     
       19. A trackball system, comprising: a housing;   a trackball mounted in the housing with a portion of the ball protruding through an aperture in a surface of the housing; and   means for permitting a user to selectively adjust the ball relative to the housing surface by manipulating a control member externally of the housing such that more or less of the ball protrudes depending upon operator preference.   
     
     
       20. A system according to claim 19 wherein said control member comprises a control means accessible to the operator to permit the operator to adjust the ball protrusion from an extension of the housing.